Chapter Nineteen
Rachel woke up to a faint buzzing sound in her ear, and irritably swatted a hand around her head. That was the thing about living on a ranch. There were flies everywhere.
There was a grunt, and she opened her eyes to see Cauy squinting down at her.
“Was I snoring?” He yawned. “I can’t believe I actually fell asleep.”
“I’m sorry I smacked you. I thought you were a fly.” She smiled up at him. Despite everything it was remarkably fine to wake up next to Cauy Lymond. “What time is it?”
He still wore a watch so he angled his wrist toward her. “Six in the morning I guess—unless we slept through another day.”
“I doubt that.” Rachel settled back into Cauy’s embrace. “I don’t think we’re going to be rescued before it gets light.”
“If we’re rescued.”
“You think the Morgans would leave me here?” Rachel snorted. “You, maybe, but not their precious little sister.”
“I suspect they’d do anything to rescue you,” Cauy agreed.
“And, at least they know where we are,” she reminded him.
“I was looking at the map in your backpack.” Cauy gestured to her bag. “There’s definitely a link between this branch of the mine workings and the main one—or there was.”
“It looked clear as far as I went, and the trajectory was definitely upward,” Rachel said. “Do you want to see if we can get out by ourselves?”
Cauy frowned at her. “Can you imagine what your family would do to me if they broke in here and found you’d disappeared?”
She pouted. “So you wouldn’t even attempt to come with me and find out?”
“Not unless my life depended on it.”
“Okay.” She sighed. “But would you freak out if I just went and took a look before the cavalry arrive?”
“I can’t exactly stop you, can I?” He removed his arm from around her shoulders and she immediately felt bereft. “You’re a grown woman.”
Belatedly she remembered the rules of their no-strings-attached relationship. Last night she thought they’d gotten past that, but she should have known never to assume.
“You’re right.” She eased away from his side and got out of the sleeping bag. The temperature was frigid, and she hastily put on her coat and boots. “I’ll go and take a look.”
“You probably think I’m a coward,” Cauy said slowly.
Rachel glanced back at him as she zipped up her coat. “Not really. If I’d been through what you have, I’d probably stay put as well.”
“I feel like a coward.”
“Then that’s on you.” Rachel held his stare. “I promise I won’t be long. I’ll take the map with me and borrow your big flashlight, okay?”
Cauy nodded as she consulted the map and made some preliminary plans. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t responsible for her choices, and she had just returned the favor. What he made of that was up to him.
She folded the map until it showed the relevant section and set off, her hard hat on her head and her backpack in place. The tunnel went by the hollowed-out section where she’d found Sean and Carlson, and snaked upward. Her booted foot hit what felt like old metal railings or possibly just the remaining pins. She doubted any valuable metal had been left in the abandoned mine.
She used the flashlight to examine the passage, and continued upward as it narrowed and grew steeper. It definitely felt like she was in a connecting tunnel. She put her hand on the wall and held still as the space suddenly widened in front of her and the cold breeze intensified. Fresh air was flowing into the works from somewhere.
The map indicated a straight line that appeared to go up toward the main entrance, but the tunnel appeared to end. Rachel turned in a slow circle noting the wooden crates, an abandoned pick, and a couple of old glass bottles half buried in the dirt from the roof. Puzzled, she rotated again and then focused the light upward and saw a large hole with what looked like the remains of a ladder attached to the side.
“Straight up indeed,” Rachel murmured, her voice echoing in the cavern. “I don’t think either of us are going up there.”
She turned and made her way back, pausing every so often to check out the structure of the workings and the construction of the tunnels. It was truly amazing to see how carefully the mine had been erected, and how long it had remained intact. She could even see the marks of individual pickaxes. There was no water damage and, apart from the odd fall of soil, the issues at the top of the mine didn’t seem to have impacted this level.
There was something about the silence of the place that appealed to her. Was it because she was a Morgan and her ancestors had mined here? Was that why she’d instinctively gravitated toward an engineering career before she’d even known about her heritage? She reached the alcove where she’d found the ranch guests and considered the filing cabinet anew. What on earth had possessed someone to use this space as his or her office?
If Chase was willing to remove the filing cabinet before permanently shutting down the mine they might find out. Seeing as this branch of the mine was on the Lymond side, she suspected it might actually belong to Cauy.
She arrived back to discover that Cauy had rolled up their temporary bed and put on his coat and boots. He’d also rediscovered his hat, dusted it down, and set it firmly on his head.
“Anything happening?” Rachel asked as she took off her backpack.
“I haven’t heard a thing yet.”
He glanced back at her from his position by the entrance where he appeared to be gingerly clearing rocks away.
She joined him and hunkered down at his side. “We can shift some of this stuff. Don’t touch anything close to the actual exit wall. Some of those rocks are still holding that wall up.”
“Got it.” Cauy placed another sizeable chunk of rock to one side. “I figured it might help to clear a path. How was the tunnel?”
She sighed. “The map was surprisingly accurate, but it ended in a hole in the ceiling with a vertical climb out and no usable ladder.”
“Then let’s hope they can get us out this way,” Cauy said.
“I’m sure they will,” Rachel assured him.
He was amazed at how calm he was, and attributed that entirely to the woman at his side. She’d done more to cure him of his fears than a year of seeing a shrink or trying to pretend nothing was wrong. She’d even told him to suck it up and not project his insecurities on her, which he’d deserved.
How could he let her walk away from him?
Cauy went still. Where had that thought come from? He had no right to expect anything from her. She deserved so much more, but he wanted her, he wasn’t going to lie to himself anymore.
If they got out of the mine—when they got out—he would take the time to think things through and work out how to ask her if she’d be interested in taking things further with him. She’d probably laugh, but he had to ask.
“Are you okay, Cauy?”
He looked over at her. “I’m good, thanks.”
Her smile warmed his soul. She’d done the unthinkable—made him believe that not only could he have a future with her, but that she might like him just the way he was.
A rumble of sound vibrated through the outside wall of the mine. Cauy tensed as Rachel jumped to her feet.
“It’s got to be them!” She grabbed Cauy’s hand and kissed his cheek. “We’ll be out of here in no time!”
Cauy doubted that, but even he was surprised at the scale of the operation Chase Morgan had organized, and the speed of their deliverance. Chase had obviously called in the best of the best. Without anyone asking him he found himself bundled up in a blanket being transported to Morgan Ranch. Mrs. Morgan sent Rachel up to bed and put Cauy in the best parlor tucked up on the couch with a bowl of hot soup and crusty bread.
He fell asleep almost immediately and woke up to find Mrs. Morgan sitting opposite him knitting something fluffy. He blinked at her for a puzzled moment before everything came flooding back.
“Mrs. Morgan.” He struggled into a sitting position. “Is Rachel okay?”
“Please call me Ruth.” She looked up from her knitting. “Rachel’s sleeping now. January’s keeping an eye on her. How are you feeling?”
“A little tired,” Cauy acknowledged. “Being stuck in a mine wasn’t exactly high on my to-do list.”
“So I should imagine. I checked that cut on your head, but it seems to be healing nicely all by itself.” She smiled at him. “Rachel said you were very brave and protected her when the wall came down.”
He shrugged. “I did my best. She kept me sane while we were trapped in there, so I think we’re even.”
Ruth shuddered. “I can’t imagine how that must have felt for you.”
He held her gaze. “If Rachel hadn’t been there I would probably have freaked out. She was . . . amazing.”
“Rachel’s certainly good at keeping everyone happy,” Ruth agreed.
Cauy swung his legs over the side of the couch and set his feet on the rug. He had a sense that he needed to be upright for this conversation.
Ruth returned her attention to her knitting. “All her life, Rachel has believed it’s her job to support everyone, make the best of everything, and put herself second. Sometimes it breaks my heart.”
Cauy nodded. “I hear you.” He carefully drew the quilt to one side, his sense of relief of being out of the mine rapidly evaporating. Was Ruth subtly trying to tell him that Rachel didn’t need another set of problems to deal with? Problems like him?
“I think I’d better be going home now.” Cauy cleared his throat. “Thanks for everything, and please give Rachel my best.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say any of that to make you bolt, young man.”
“I know.” He found a smile somewhere. “I just need to get back. Jackson will be worried.”
Ruth stood as he did and put her hand on his sleeve, her gaze concerned. “Cauy, you’re a good man. I hope you stay and make the Lymond Ranch a huge success.”
Cauy nodded. “Thank you. I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon.”
Rachel would be leaving. Not him. She deserved to fly.
He’d make sure of it.
He turned to the door and went into the mudroom where someone had put his jacket, boots, and hat. It occurred to him that he didn’t have his truck or a working cell phone. He was reluctantly turning toward the kitchen to see if he could beg a ride when Billy came toward him.
“Ruth says you’re leaving, Cauy. I can give you a ride home. I’ve got to go into town.”
“That would be awesome.” Cauy took a quick look up the stairs as they went by, but there was no sign of Rachel. But what could he say to her now? “I’d call Jackson, but my cell phone is broken.”
“It’s not a problem.”
Billy got into his truck, and Cauy opened the door on the passenger side. It was only afternoon, and yet it felt like another endless day. It was still blowing a gale and the snow had turned to sleet, which made everything miserable and churned up the muddy roads.
Kind of how he felt inside, like someone had kicked him down the stairs.
Cauy braced himself in case Billy wanted to offer him some advice about Rachel, but the rancher talked about the weather, his cattle, and the departure of the last guests, and how glad everyone was to see them go.
It didn’t take long to reach home. Jackson’s truck was parked next to the barn, and all the house lights were on. Grace barked from inside as he got out of the truck, and the cold hit him afresh. Billy got out too and came around to him.
Cauy held out his hand. “Thanks for getting us out of the mine.”
“That was all Chase’s doing.” Billy smiled as he shook Cauy’s hand. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see what went down and act on it.”
“I’m grateful for that.” Cauy hesitated. “And if there’s anything I can do for you or your ranch, please feel free to ask. I’m not my father, and I have no intention of adopting his old prejudices.”
“I think we’ve all worked that out already.” Billy clapped him around the shoulder and winked. “Stay safe, Cauy.”
Cauy went into the house to an enthusiastic welcome from Grace, who pranced around him like he’d been gone for a week. Jackson came into the kitchen and looked him up and down.
“You okay, Bro?”
“Perfect. You?”
“I’m good.” Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Dude, you were stuck underground in a mine. I think you could elaborate a little.”
Cauy shrugged. “I’m fine. I got out alive. There was no fire, no oil exploding under high pressure, and all I got hit with was a piddly piece of rock on the back of my head.”
Jackson leaned against the doorframe. “Are you sure that knock on the head wasn’t serious? You sound weird.”
Cauy forced a smile. “I’m just tired.”
“I can imagine.” Jackson straightened up. “If you need to talk to me about anything, you know where I am.”
“Got it.”
Cauy took off his hat and jacket. He’d left his boots on the mat outside. If he had anything to say he trusted Jackson, but there was nothing left to share. He had some thinking to do, but he already knew the answers. Mrs. Morgan had just pointed out something so obvious that even he had realized it was true. Now he just had to find a way to live with it.
* * *
“I saw the paperwork Kim sent you on your desk, Cauy. I hope you don’t mind that I read it.”
Jackson had paused from eating an enormous piece of chicken pie to address Cauy, who sat opposite him at the kitchen table. He’d taken another nap, and Jackson had woken him up to eat at seven.
“Are you going to take it up?”
“Nope.” Cauy chewed vigorously but the food still choked him. “No point in riling everyone up around here.”
“Especially if we want to stick around.” Jackson nodded. “It made interesting reading though.”
“I barely made it through the cover letter,” Cauy admitted. “Although seeing how much Kim charged me for each sentence I probably should get my money’s worth and read it through.”
There was a knock on the back door, and Grace started barking. She’d definitely perked up in the last couple of days.
Jackson raised his eyebrows. “Are we expecting anyone?”
“No.” Cauy put down his fork. “But I bet you a hundred bucks it’s a Morgan.”
Jackson went to open the door while Cauy kept hold of Grace’s collar.
“It’s Roy.” Jackson stepped back to reveal the diminutive ranch foreman. “You owe me a hundred bucks.”
“No way,” Cauy snorted. “He’s basically a Morgan.” At this point he was just glad it wasn’t Rachel. He still hadn’t figured out exactly what to say to her. “What can I do for you, Roy?”
“Evening, Cauy.” Roy tipped his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, and closed the door behind him. “Chase told me to bring that old filing cabinet we found in the mine up to you. It was under Lymond land so he reckons it must be something to do with your family.”
“Or he just wants to get rid of it,” Jackson added. “Do you want a hand taking it out of the truck?”
“Yes, please. I’m not as strong as I used to be.” Roy winked at Jackson. “I’m afraid it will flatten me if I try to do it alone.”
Cauy had half risen from his seat, but Jackson waved him back. “I’ll get this. Where do you want me to put it?”
“The new feed store would be best,” Cauy said. “I don’t want anything rusting here in the house.”
“Yeah, we’ve got enough junk. I found Mom’s old Christmas tree in my closet today. We should put it up.” Jackson nodded at Roy. “I’ll just get my coat.”